The Springboard Project
2 Medtia Square, Phoenix Street, Oldham, OL1 1ANOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Springboard Project is a special school in Oldham for ages 14 to 19. It is one of the 126 schools in Oldham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 March 2024, report published 6 May 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 13 March 2024
The welfare and education of pupils, including students in the sixth form, are at the heart of The Springboard Project. The school has high expectations for its pupils. It is ambitious for what pupils and students will achieve. Pupils work towards a range of formal qualifications, such as GCSEs. Mostly, pupils and students who attend the school are suitably prepared for the next stage in their education, training or employment. The school provides a high level of care for its pupils and their families. It is a happy place in which to learn. Pupils feel welcome. Staff develop highly respectful relationships with pupils who have previously had a turbulent time in their education. Pupils are generally motivated to try their best in lessons. The school celebrates pupils' achievements. Pupils understand that success requires hard work and commitment, which they show in their lessons. Staff support pupils to manage their behaviour. Typically, pupils have positive attitudes to their studies. The curriculum to promote pupils' personal development is exceptional. The school is constantly looking for ways to engage pupils in the community. For example, pupils have opportunities for work placements within the local area. This allows pupils to practise some key life skills in a different context. The 'Friday experience' allows pupils to access a wide variety of additional opportunities including art, sport or computing.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, the school does not have a strong oversight of how well curriculums are delivered. This occasionally means that the school does not act swiftly to address some deficiencies in the implementation of these curriculums. The school should develop its approach to evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the curriculum in these subjects.
- In a minority of subjects, the learning activities that pupils undertake do not help them to build a secure body of knowledge over time. This means that pupils sometimes do not achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that teachers have the guidance that they need to design learning that helps pupils to know and remember more over time.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
38 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
155 pupils on roll, with places for 127
Schools near The Springboard Project
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Path 4 | 0.9 miles | Report card: Needs attention | Not published |
| EdStart Schools Oldham and Rochdale | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard | Not published |
| SEE (Oldham) | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Kingfisher Special School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Supreme Start Ltd | 2 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Free schools special
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- NEW BRIDGE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 14 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Andrew Howard
- Phone
- 01618833250
- Address
- 2 Medtia Square, Phoenix Street, Oldham, OL1 1AN
- Local authority
- Oldham
- URN
- 145922
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.